Conditioning Methods for Animals in Agriculture: A Review

Abstract

This article briefly describes different conditioning techniques used to help understand learning in farm livestock and economically important animals. A basic overview of conditioning is included along with the importance of different conditioning methods, associative and non-associative learning, and how these principles apply to chickens, horses, cows, goats, pigs, and sheep. Additional information on learning theory specific for each animal is also provided. Keywords: cattle; classical; conditioning; goats; horses; operant; pigs; sheep; training. ResumoEste artigo descreve brevemente diferentes técnicas de condicionamento usadas para ajudar a compreender a aprendizagem em animas de criação e animais economicamente importantes. Uma visão geral básica de condicionamento está incluída juntamente com a importância de diferentes métodos de condicionamento, aprendizagens associativas e não-associativas e como esses princípios se aplicam para as galinhas, cavalos, vacas, suínos, caprinos e ovinos. Informações adicionais sobre a teoria de aprendizagem específica para cada animal também são fornecidas.

Captive-born collared peccary (Pecari tajacu, Tayassuidae) fails to discriminate between predator and non-predator models

“…This result was not expected because the peccaries were used to receiving their food and care from humans (keepers). Captive animals are commonly habituated to humans because of their frequent contact with their caretakers (Abramson & Kieson 2016); thus, not associating this contact with any danger (Knight 2009;McGowan et al 2014;Samia et al 2015). In the present study, peccaries were held in semi-natural enclosures, with minimum contact with the keeper (contact only occurred during food delivery or during capture for medical procedures).…”

“…In addition, to the loss of the ability to recognize predators, captive animals may also become habituated to humans (Abramson & Kieson 2016). Habituation to humans may have deleterious effects on animals when reintroduced into nature, since reduced fear of humans can be generalized to predators (Jones & Waddington 1992;Coleman et al 2008;St Clair et al 2010;Blumstein 2016).…”

Genetic Architecture of Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Montana Tropical® Composite Beef Cattle

“…Two of the highlighted processes are related to behavior indicator traits: 1) visual behavior and 2) associative learning. The associative learning is defined as the capacity of an individual learning a behavior based on the association of two or more events (Abramson and Kieson, 2016). In general, animals recognize events related to environmental factors through this process.…”

Behavioral genetics in Cattle- a review

“…The most remarkable and observable reactions include active reaction (active defense and attacking), active avoidance (escaping and hiding) and inactive reaction (immobility, urine and feces) (figure 1). Active and inactive reactions can appear during challenging situations (Abramson and Kieson, 2016).There are considerable other types of behavioral patterns, such as standing position, facial expression, voices and releasing pheromones in fear appearance. Fear can be considered as the main mental factor.…”